It is difficult to diagnose Alzheimer disease early in its course. In fact, a definitive diagnosis has only been available upon autopsy. But what if you had a window to your brain? Would that make early diagnosis easier?

Your Eyes Are the Window to Your Brain:

Now, scientists have found markers of the disease that can be seen in the retina (AAO 2018, Chicago, IL Oct. 28, 2018). The back of the eye starts to show changes even before people notice serious memory loss.

The non-invasive test called optical coherence tomography angiography could be done by an ophthalmologist. Impressively, this test is able to distinguish between people with mild cognitive impairment and those who progress to Alzheimer disease. In Alzheimer disease, the retina has fewer blood vessels and the inner layer is thinner.

Who Did the Research?

These observations were made independently by two separate teams of researchers. Drs. Sharon Fekrat And Dilraj Grewal, in the Department of Ophthalmology at Duke University, say the scan would take only seconds. The other study was led by Dr. Ygal Rotenstreich at the Goldschleger Eye Institute at Sheba Medical Center in Israel. Both teams presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In conclusion, early diagnosis using the eyes as the window to your brain would permit earlier intervention to slow or prevent cognitive decline.

Related People's Pharmacy Radio Show

Pharmaceutical scientists have been striving to get amyloid plaques out of the brain to treat Alzheimer disease. New research suggests that amyloid may be acting to protect the brain from microbes. What are the implications?

21 Thoughts Shared

Will

Santa Fe, NM

November 3, 2018 at 12:31 pm

I see a lot of comments about the lack of treatment for Alzheimer’s. I have been treating patients for the last two years with Dr Dale Bredesen’s methods [see The End of Alzheimer’s]. Its true that people deep in Alzheimer’s have very little chance of reversal, but we have seen some in early Alzheimer’s and nearly all in Mild Cognitive Decline reverse their condition. MRI’s have even documented increases in hippocampal volume. It is real.

Terry

NC

November 2, 2018 at 11:06 pm

AG

Raleigh NC

November 2, 2018 at 11:05 pm

I would like to know the cost of this procedure and I plan on asking when I get my eyes examined this year. Personally, yes, I would like to know if I’m Alzheimer bound or not. Actually, I think it’s better to know than to worry that every little thing is going to end up with a diagnoses of Alzheimer’s Disease (I can’t find my glassess – oh no – I must be getting Alzheimer’s).

Lynn

NC

November 2, 2018 at 6:46 pm

Regardless of few or no treatment options, I would want to know so that I may make plans for my future care before becoming unable to do so myself. Doesn’t matter if it’s 1 month or 10 years in the future. I’d want to make my own plans. Have no children or trusted family so it’s up to me or my husband should he survive me. A plan in place would give me peace of mind now.

Kate

Southwest US

November 2, 2018 at 6:39 pm

I know that I have the APO4 gene, amyloid plaque and a family history. I am now participating in a clinical study which might end soon due to the latest results in other studies. I know another study might be beginning, and I would participate again. This is done in memory of my loved ones who have passed and my children. As of now, I have no cognitive impairment. I do expect that will change. I have no intention of developing full blown Alzheimer’s and will do what is necessary to make sure of that. In the mean time, I wake up each morning and spend a moment being grateful for a new day. I enjoy my life and my time with my loved ones so much more, and I don’t sweat the small stuff!

Colorado

November 2, 2018 at 4:46 pm

Gail

Sussex, nj

November 2, 2018 at 3:40 pm

Barbara N.

TX

November 2, 2018 at 1:51 pm

“The non-invasive test called optical coherence tomography angiography could be done by an ophthalmologist. Impressively, this test is able to distinguish between people with mild cognitive impairment and those who progress to Alzheimer disease. In Alzheimer disease, the retina has fewer blood vessels and the inner layer is thinner.”
BUT if the retina has fewer blood vessels and the inner layer is thinner, could that indicate something other than Alzheimer disease and not AD?

November 4, 2018 at 9:05 pm

We don’t know the details; optical coherence tomography angiography is being used to diagnose a number of conditions. Here is a quote from a 2017 paper:
“The integration of OCTA in multimodal imaging in the evaluation of retinal vascular occlusive diseases, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, inherited diseases, age-related macular degeneration, and disorders of the optic nerve is presented.”
Here’s the link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350946217300563

Anne

Wisconsin

November 2, 2018 at 9:17 am

Linda

Madison, WI

November 2, 2018 at 8:32 am

I’m all for early diagnosis if the test is conclusive and proven, and there is a treatment protocol. If not, what’s the point of scaring people when there is nothing to be done about it? We’ve seen the dangers of premature advice on nutrition: the food pyramid that encouraged a high simple carb diet; testing that is so invasive it’s worse than a cure; false positives, etc.

Now we are in a new health care era in which profit has become the motive, and our medical system is in the hands of insurance companies, some heavily invested in diagnostic testing devices and pharmaceuticals. Look at the profits of colonoscopies, for one thing. They are so profitable that whole buildings are being devoted to them. We have a non-invasive test–Cologuard–available but colonoscopy is still considered the “Gold Standard” even though every part of it has damage potential: the cleanse, the invasive procedure, the anesthetic, and the flexible instrument used.

A retina scan may prove to be a wonderful diagnostic tool but what happens with the information? And what happens to the patient who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s that may be years in the future? Or maybe not at all, depending on the conclusiveness of the test after years of being used and, maybe, destroying lots of lives. Who can enjoy life with a diagnosis like that hanging over their head, especially with no clear guidelines to avoid it?

Technology is a wonderful tool, and it would be so welcome if only we had a health care system in the hands of medical professionals in which good health, rather than profit, was the motive.

Lisa

Orange County CA

November 8, 2018 at 4:25 pm

I have a genetic marker, and I would do this test, knowing there is no official treatment protocol. Because then I could plan, financially and with very detailed healthcare instructions, for how I would want to be treated (or not treated) once my mind went. That would give me peace of mind and better quality of life in my remaining sane days. And, although there is no agreed-upon treatment, you can see from the comment above that there are some treatments that have shown effect especially for the earlier stages.

Judy

Maryland

November 2, 2018 at 5:21 am

We invite you to share your thoughts with others, but remember that our comment section is a public forum. Please do not use your full first and last name if you want to keep details of your medical history anonymous. A first name and last initial or a pseudonym is acceptable. Advice from other commenters on this website is not a substitute for medical attention. Do not stop any medicine without checking with the prescriber. Stopping medication suddenly could result in serious harm. We expect comments to be civil in tone and language. By commenting, you agree to abide by our commenting policy and website terms & conditions. Comments that do not follow these policies will not be posted. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Name

Email

Location

About the Author

Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies. Read Terry's Full Bio.